Enough is enough!
A march out of protest against drugs ended up in 17 people being arrested when angry residents of Hendrina took to the streets on Youth Day.
Protesters started their march in Kwazamokuhle from where they moved to Hendrina, targeting known drug houses along the way.
Tempers flared as protesters fingered the Hendrina police for their alleged involvement in the drug industry. Some of the people in the crowd alleged that police officers started picking up drug dealers and taking them to the local police station. They meant it was to protect them from the angry crowd rather than to arrest them.
Numerous protesters alleged that local police officers are a part of the drug trade by acting as a kind of mafia, receiving bribes and payoffs in return for dealers to be left alone to conduct their business.
When protesters reached the Hendrina police station, they were warned to disperse. Their refusal resulted in 17 people being arrested and charged with public violence.
As night fell, a large group of people returned to the police station, demanding that their fellow protesters be released. They were also looking for answers as to why the protesters were still in custody, when the drug dealers that were taken to the police station earlier, have since been allowed to leave.
Tree stumps opposite the police station were set alight. All 17 protesters were released and warned to appear in court on Friday 20 June.
With their court appearance, the 17 accused were yet again accompanied by a group of protesters. They were seen carrying banners, one reading “Enough is enough” outside the court building. The group repeated their early accusations, that local police members are involved in the drug trade by receiving money from dealers to protect them from prosecution.
The 17 accused had their case postponed until a later date.
Rumors that an independent investigation team will be brought in to investigate the alleged involvement of police members in criminal activities, could not be confirmed.
Hendringa Station Commander, Col. David Kanyane, said that if there is an investigation, he is not aware of it. He has knowledge of the 17 people that were arrested, but says that he was not aware of any drug dealers brought to the Hendrina police station on the same day. He also says that he has not heard of the accusations that police officers are protecting drug dealers.
